Heat capacity ratio

The heat capacity ratio, also known as the adiabatic index, the ratio of specific heats, or the isentropic expansion factor, is the ratio of the heat capacity at constant pressure to that of constant volume. The heat capacity ratio is used in the description of thermodynamic reversible processes; the speed of sound also depends on this factor.

Notes:

1. One can also use intensive heat capacities, such as specific or molar ones, in place of the extensive heat capacity presented here.

Links:

1. Wikipedia.

heat_capacity_ratio

adiabatic_index of the system.

Symbol:

gamma

Latex:

\(\gamma\)

Dimension:

dimensionless

isobaric_heat_capacity

heat_capacity of the system at constant pressure.

Symbol:

C_p

Latex:

\(C_{p}\)

Dimension:

energy/temperature

isochoric_heat_capacity

heat_capacity of the system at constant volume.

Symbol:

C_V

Latex:

\(C_{V}\)

Dimension:

energy/temperature

definition

gamma = C_p / C_V

Latex:

\[\gamma = \frac{C_{p}}{C_{V}}\]